Yeah. Happy holidays!

I am often filled with apanthropy but seek confelicity...

That feeling when you get a bunch of likes but then it's an 'AI art tutor' touting their prompt skills workshops and patreon and you don't want them anywhere near you or the things you do. @go4know.com is going to be blocked, and it seems I need to find a new block list for gen. AI promoters.

I've deliberately planned things small, managed expectations, and we don't have a moving date yet... So there's just something about being this close to Christmas that is stressing me out. There's not a single actual deadline in my immediate future, but I'm still talking myself out of anxiety.

Napping in winter is discombobulating. I have to do it pretty much every day, regardless. But it feels so very late when one wakes at twilight. I can generally guage my recovery from periods of high activity by how long the naps are and today I'm down to one and a half hours. 45min is baseline.

It's a wintery sunny day. Blue sky, low sun... Katie really enjoyed days like this. Brief ventures out to patrol then a cosy windowsill to soak up the sun. I miss her today. Very much.

I'm pretty sure that at this point in time, the remaining opposition to renewables are nothing but the tantrums of those with interest in fossil fuels and/or could not get the logic of "there's no cost to obtaining the fuel" to sink into the brain.

Benefits are not compensation enough for the adrenaline and cortisol that floods me when I get a letter from the DWP. This one was just an acknowledgement that I put in a mandatory reconsideration because somebody decided I've got mobility I don't have because I said I went in a shop once.

#disability #chronicillness

I need a jingle for when I Do Life Admin. My driving licence expired two years ago and I tried then to renew online but there was an issue with my passport not being in person verified (COVID). I tried again and their new app worked! I'm back on top of my documents!

One (1) mandatory reconsideration for PIP phone call completed. Little bit of tears. Little bit of shaking. Relief flooding response. But it's done. I don't know why think my mobility improved when my condition has not changed 😭

When you see this, post your Christmas season energy level.

He's still a bit goofy, but this cat has become a real proximity cat since Katie passed. He's started loafing instead of being curled up in his basket by the window. He seems to be maturing in a way I didn't expect. He's much less vocal, too.

Grief is a funny old bastard. I've had Katie's ashes back for a week, I have a lot going on so I don't sit and ruminate often. But some days I'm just really fucking sad. No thoughts. No 'reason'. I used to think it wasn't allowed unless I could verbalise the problem. I got therapy though so...

All right, crafty folks. I need everyone who sees this to keep a look out for the following shawls. They were lost by FedEx on the way to Barcelona Knits, and have been declared "unrecoverable". 🧶 This is thoussands of euros of work & materials, not to mention their value at Trunk Shows & Workshops.

Yoshi hasn't laid down my legs like this since he was a kitten boy. He's not been obviously upset since Katie passed, but he has been much more physically close, hanging out with me more, and he does get worried if I go out and leave him alone for more than a couple of hours.

Bought myself a nice tray of prepared mango as a treat and I'd forgotten what a mango hound this cat is. His preferences for fruit are so far restricted to mango (best), dark berry ice lolly (also best) and avocado, preferably a shell he can kick around and lick clean. The barbs on that tongue!

I've not had a horse since I was very young. I've collected horse stuff as though I've got a tack room that needs filling all my life. No, I don't need three gigantic eggbutt snaffles or a full cheek with a link. Yes I'm moving house and downsizing. These will go in the maybe box.

Hey bluesky. It's been a wild month in which I have: started buying a home, got a new car, been to a wedding, nursed two sick cats, had a benefit review, and then had my heart broken. My precious, tiny boss. The queen of my home and heart, Katie was pts quietly on my lap on Sunday. She was only 10💔

Mcfucking SCUSE ME? Horsham council registry office and council buildings car park. Two disabled spaces and your blue badge just doesn't count here. Don't adapt and improve access for disabled people. Demand they jump through more hoops and stricter requirements.

Yoshi is due one more visit to the vet for lasering and will finish his antibiotics on the same day. I am utterly exhausted after taking him in every other day for a week. #Cats and #ChronicIllness The Bear for tax:

He doesn't generally present as a large cat. He looks pretty average. Until he stretches out and he's only a couple of inches short of my inseam. He also weighs 5.2kg... with no suggestion he should be on a diet. The Bear is v. Poorly, recovering from a large abscessed hot spot 🥺 Clingy cat 🐈‍⬛

Personal growth & breaking rules... I called myself pretty to friends. I acknowledged (claimed?) pretty privilege. I don't know how anybody felt, the moment felt fine, I don't know how I feel. It feels illegal. Like cutting my own hair and largely enjoying the results. 🤷🏻‍♀️👍🏻🤷🏻‍♀️ It's interesting.

You don’t need anyone’s permission to be a girl. Pass it on.

Do we like food pics on bluesky? I wish you could smell this. Mat makes a gorgeous chorizo and chick pea stew/chunky soup and I adore having the leftovers baked with an egg or two. It's such a treat 🥰 So. Leftovers. How do you eat yours?

Cis woman? Trans positive? Here's a thing that your signature could be added to.

It's quite heart-warming that every Discworld novel in my city's library of audio books is out on loan for at least the next two months, some into Feb. And no pratchett audiobook at all is available immediately. 🥰 Shame there's a dearth of fantasy (no wheel of time or Dresden?!)

My garden - the grass has been happy after a week or so of rain followed by mild days and lots of dew overnight. The cherry trees are continuing to add delicious colour in their autumn finery. I do love this scrappy little garden.

If anyone wants an alternative this October: I have two lists for Month of Monsters! Everyone’s invited to do either or both!

Painting again today! One more session needed, but I think she's shaping up wonderfully. 🥰 This time I took reference from a few photos of forests at sunrise, and added details to the horse from my artistic whimsy. The nose is 👍🏻 the off hind & tail need work. #art

Today, My love and I had a date day. Brunei's buttery for coffee and cake (I had to have a blood test so needed something) then M shed and lunch at Za Za bazaar because we were feeling unfancy. I look short because I was in a powered chair so we could wander relatively freely.

Just in case some people missed the memo: DO NOT USE ULINE. EVER. IDGAF if you think they "have the best prices" or "have the best tape". Buying from them because of one of those reasons just tells me your morals have a price tag. Throw your packaging sources in the comments.

Is it warm outside today, Yoshi? #cats

Was away overnight to get Cow to her rightful owner and drop a few things off with a very poorly friend. I've been home since lunchtime (though mostly sleeping) and decided to get back to a picture I started before I left. Katie said *ahem* #art and #cats

The full head is a stone head from the game Stone Simulator. I struggled with the lips and yesterday I had some songs so I tried a couple of lip studies. Turns out, lips are exactly as hard as I thought but practice helps! Getting into a flow state with music is really helping my art.

Behold... A Hollow Knight.

Chronic illness is so stupid. I want to see a friend so I plan my next slot with a few days either side with no plans. Then I get a sniffle. 5-14 day delay Recovery. +2-10 days Get period. +3-8 days Have 1 good day, move funny, hurt neck and shoulder. 😡 A month later, I've not even started.

I keep being asked what my position on trans rights is. So thought I might as well share with you all...

Live your life so that people don’t consider rumors of your death a form of edging.

I'm sure all the authors who might see this are already more in the know than me but in case my little branch can reach a bigger branch...

DOOOO IIIIIIIT

This is what I've been saying!

The DWP have had my pip review paperwork for almost six months. I just received a letter extending my 'award' until up to September *next year* to give them time to complete the review. Staffing backlog or holding off until the changes go through parliament (they hope)?

Artists at the expo are definitely hopping mad about this, right? i want to go just to protest at the stand, and I never want to go to any cons!

In the words of Jesse Gender herself... Let me be clear -- I wish on JK Rowling everything that she wishes upon trans people. -And that means I wish harm upon her. Because she does and wishes harm.

Outcry grows after multiple trans users were targeted for mild criticisms of the anti-trans billionaire.

Working from references is a new skill but an old talent I have is occasionally working from just knowing somebody. This was a loose doodle to start with and became @mathewwehtam.bsky.social

More Mayfair Witches and I'm mostly really angry at men and demons. Also, these newborns are GIGANTIC.

Ruddy Mayfair Witches doing the 'there's always something behind a shower curtain if it's not pulled back' thing. As scary as things in mirrors that shouldn't be.

Between my diagnosis and then a friend's birthday party at the weekend and another friend's online party, I'm flagging a bit. But I just started the heel flap on the second sock I've ever knit! 7 rows in and it's time for lunch and then a nap.